Is starting with a free Wordpress blog a good idea?

36 replies
I'm looking to start blogging about gaming computer hardeare and accessories. Maybe even some game reviews here and their. Was wondering if it is a wise decision to start with a free wordpress blog with a "sgfgGFD".wordpress.com url?
#blog #free #good #idea #starting #wordpress
  • Profile picture of the author seoboyz01
    You won't be able to monetize a wordpress.com site in any way, without their permission.

    Can you get your own hosting to install the free wordpress software on?

    If you can do that you will have the ability to monetize your site with affiliate offers or sell your own products without worry they will delete your blog.
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  • Profile picture of the author advent
    if you are going to start a blog, then its Fine to use WordPress, anyhow there is a lots of free hosting providers are available, you can check with them,

    My Suggestion,

    use tumblr with custom URL, you can edit everything on tumblr, but on WordPress you can't edit any theme files rather than customize.
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  • Profile picture of the author dunc
    A blog is really useful. Just make sure that you have your own domain name.

    If you know everything about this niche like repairing, uses, newest types etc...

    I suggest that you do reviews on certain components/accessories and link them to newegg.com or any other site that provides them (for affiliate $)

    I also suggest that you create videos or how-to's on how to fix or install them. This would be a great traffic source for you.

    If you want, just PM me and I can give you a solid game plan in that niche.
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  • Profile picture of the author andrikos
    Depends what you want to do, for example if you are using this site to build quite few backlinks in order to rank high then just write 10-20 unique articles and point as many links you can on them, then add a link to your money site.

    If want to have a website where you plan to approach other businesses then it is a good idea to have your own domain and hosting.

    If just want to write articles and add your affiliate links on them whatever you do is fine, thought in this case I would recommend using blogger because is Google blog platform and have notice the last year or so that Google shows more favor to it's own products.

    For example: My personal blog is such case

    I use some affiliate links on my articles and have build a special page with free trial softwares where users can download various softwares, when they decide to buy I get a commision.

    In the end of the day: Want to try free? stick with blogger. Want to have your own branded site? stick with Wordpress.

    Hope it helps.
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  • Profile picture of the author Lipipaliwal
    Banned
    Originally Posted by Nicheguybob View Post

    I'm looking to start blogging about gaming computer hardeare and accessories. Maybe even some game reviews here and their. Was wondering if it is a wise decision to start with a free wordpress blog with a "sgfgGFD".wordpress.com url?
    Well, the wordpress is one of the best CMS platform by which you can write the blog and post as well. It's PA, DA, Alexa and PR all are excellent. So, I would recommend you, without any hesitation, just go ahead and post the blog. I assure you, you will get the best response on your blog.
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  • Profile picture of the author Corey Taylor
    Originally Posted by Nicheguybob View Post

    I'm looking to start blogging about gaming computer hardeare and accessories. Maybe even some game reviews here and their. Was wondering if it is a wise decision to start with a free wordpress blog with a "sgfgGFD".wordpress.com url?
    If you're serious about it, no.

    If you want to have it for fun, sure.

    But nothing beats a server+domain combo.

    Having the opportunity to keep backups and do what you want with your site without
    "praying" to google (blogger) or wordpress.com to not delete your blog for no reason, is the best thing you can do.
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  • Profile picture of the author Nicheguybob
    Hmm alright, So I need to get my own domain and hosting for Wordpress in order to do affiliate links etc?

    This is all I have so far.

    www.XtremePowerPlay.wordpress.com
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    • Profile picture of the author Corey Taylor
      Originally Posted by Nicheguybob View Post

      Hmm alright, So I need to get my own domain and hosting for Wordpress in order to do affiliate links etc?

      This is all I have so far.

      XtremePowerPlay
      Hostgator for server.
      Namecheap for domain.

      That's been my combo for the past 5 years without a problem, not saying it's the best
      but works flawlessly for me so far

      Good luck
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  • Profile picture of the author shmeeko69
    Originally Posted by Nicheguybob View Post

    I'm looking to start blogging about gaming computer hardeare and accessories. Maybe even some game reviews here and their. Was wondering if it is a wise decision to start with a free wordpress blog with a "sgfgGFD".wordpress.com url?
    It's fine to dip your toes in the water at the beginning of your journey with a free blog, but for the medium to long term you should be thinking about the paid option.

    The two questions you have to ask yourself going forward is >>

    (i)How can you expect your future viewers to take your seriously if you're not valuing your product/service with a paid option?

    (ii)What if Wordpress or another provider pull the plug on your free blog? You'll have lost all of the information and hours of work and future earning potential.

    Mark
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  • Profile picture of the author Robinsh123
    If you are serious then do host your blog on
    worpress but don't go for the free version.
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    You can save upto 75% on this awesome deal, so hurry up and GRAB it before the price hike.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kralj187
    I would definitely recommend you to have your own site. Nobody can take it from you and nobody will be able to shut it down just because they feel like it. All your hard work that you have put into such a project would be gone for good.

    Hosting isn't that expensive and buying a new domain either.
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  • Profile picture of the author Miguelito203
    Originally Posted by Nicheguybob View Post

    I'm looking to start blogging about gaming computer hardeare and accessories. Maybe even some game reviews here and their. Was wondering if it is a wise decision to start with a free wordpress blog with a "sgfgGFD".wordpress.com url?
    Gaming is a huge niche that you can do a lot with. If you're serious about it and plan to stay in the niche a while, I'd recommend that you get your own domain name and hosting, so that you can have control over your content. You'll also be able to build a list and what not. It's well worth it and rather easy to do (coming from a non-techie person and someone who waited longer than he should have before he started stuff on his own domain).

    Joey
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    • Profile picture of the author seoboyz01
      Originally Posted by Miguelito203 View Post

      Gaming is a huge niche that you can do a lot with. If you're serious about it and plan to stay in the niche a while, I'd recommend that you get your own domain name and hosting, so that you can have control over your content. You'll also be able to build a list and what not. It's well worth it and rather easy to do (coming from a non-techie person and someone who waited longer than he should have before he started stuff on his own domain).

      Joey
      Cheap basic hosting doesn't cost much per month and a domain name is a good investment anyway and can be reused (assuming it's generic enough) on any future project you try. And with your own hosting, you have a place to play around online with various site ideas and businesses until you find one that works for you. And, you don't have that option with just Wordpress.com.
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  • Profile picture of the author johnben1444
    I would prefer you start with a self hosted blog of your own. The opportunities are limitless!

    It doesn't cost anything to get such blog.
    With just $19.95 you can get a domain and hosting going. Content can be written by you and ensure they are all unique.

    There are also loads of information that teaches you how to create a basic blog and free exciting themes to choose from. The experience will help you save hundreds of dollars in outsourcing.

    I would rather use the free wordpress and web 2.0 for submitting fresh content and optimizing them for traffic.

    You just have to learn how to move your butt and working.
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  • Profile picture of the author nizamkhan
    If you truly passionate and want to do it in a professional way, then I suggest you to start a self-hosted wordpress blog rather than a hosted one. Get quality hosting, install wordpress and then start blogging.

    - Nizam
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  • Profile picture of the author vuccha
    I would say no, Because free wordpress domain has a lots of limitations . You can't optimize it for SEO and you cant even access the root directory file. Moreover it does not approve adsense. So you'd better use wordpress software version
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  • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
    Banned
    Originally Posted by Nicheguybob View Post

    Was wondering if it is a wise decision to start with a free wordpress blog with a "sgfgGFD".wordpress.com url?
    Not if you want to monetize it in any way at all, because that would breach the terms of service of wordpress.com, and your blog would be removed as soon as a staff-member noticed it (which might happen quickly, if a competitor "flags" it).

    Domain-names cost only about $10 per year, and you're probably better off registering one, anyway?

    If you want free hosting, to start on, for a WordPress blog, you could try byethost.com, 000WebHost.com or freehostia.com. They may not be the best hosts in the world but at least they'll enable you to avoid the terms of service at wordpress.com. And you can always move or upgrade to better hosting later.

    Hostica.com is also perhaps worth a look: they charge only $1 per month for a single site.


    .
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  • Profile picture of the author kursat
    In the long run, you would benefit with getting yourself a hosted wordpress site. You can monetize it, change themes and even sell it. So check some cheap hosting, which might come with a free domain name and go ahead with it. May be try to get a generic name so you can use for other projects.
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  • Profile picture of the author arindamroy
    Well, andrikos said the right thing. When you are attempting to build a professional website it would be far better to get a custom domain instead of going for a free blog. However, a free Wordpress can become very interesting too if you can customize to your advantage and post unique information there.
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  • Profile picture of the author sumeno
    You may want to consider building your own website because you will be able to monetize on it properly as to wordpress platform and with your site you will look more professional.
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  • Profile picture of the author eac113
    You definitely want to own your own online reals-estate. Lots of good reasons above the one main theme being you want to be in total control of your stuff.
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  • Profile picture of the author www°pricebill°com
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    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
      Banned
      Originally Posted by www°pricebill°com View Post

      Use free blog to build backlink to your money site.
      If you do that at wordpress.com, and they notice it, and/or if anyone "flags" it, they'll just delete the blog (without notice, and without appeal), because using a wordpress.com blog to draw traffic to or to confer SEO benefits on another site contravenes their terms of service.

      .
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  • Profile picture of the author spearce000
    If you want to make money with this, using a free WordPress blog is a terrible idea. You won't be able to monetize it, and WP could shut it down at any time without warning.

    A free WP blog is OK if you just want to put information out in the public domain, but as others have said, for IM get some reliable hosting and your own domain.
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    • Profile picture of the author discrat
      Hey Niche,
      I know free Blogger Blog is more lenient than free WP. But going the Blogger route when I first started out I would recommend to splurge the $10 a month and get paid hosting. In long run you will not regret it




      - Robert Andrew
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  • Profile picture of the author Nicheguybob
    I decided to get hosting with wordpress!
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  • Profile picture of the author crgargan
    I agree that you need to buy the hosting and domain name. They are quite cheap and you can often wait around for special deals and coupons for godaddy or such places. I got 1 domain and hosting for it for about 20-30 and that was for a whole year. Not much more than going out to dinner these day. If you are serious about your site then its a no brainer.
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  • Profile picture of the author HDRider
    Good job. Always go with your own domain and hosting, no one is going to take it away and you can do what you want.

    Learned that the hard way when I didn't know any better. Lost over 500 Squidoo pages when they decided to change terms, then sell. Same with other free sites that I lost over the years. Never again.
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    • Profile picture of the author crgargan
      I was in that same boat a couple years ago. Was making a decent bit with squidoo and overnight it was all gone. Learned my lesson really fast.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mike Carter
    If you are looking in terms of monetizing perspective you need to go with your own hosting and domain name, which you can get at cheap price with hostgator or bluehost.

    If you are just starting out for a passion to write game reviews you can start with WordPress.
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  • Profile picture of the author hometutor
    Originally Posted by Nicheguybob View Post

    I'm looking to start blogging about gaming computer hardeare and accessories. Maybe even some game reviews here and their. Was wondering if it is a wise decision to start with a free wordpress blog with a "sgfgGFD".wordpress.com url?
    Get your own hosting kid. You don't want to work on something, build it up and have it taken away.

    Rick
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  • Profile picture of the author guzie
    Originally Posted by Nicheguybob View Post

    I'm looking to start blogging about gaming computer hardeare and accessories. Maybe even some game reviews here and their. Was wondering if it is a wise decision to start with a free wordpress blog with a "sgfgGFD".wordpress.com url?
    Your going to have a hard time with wordpress.com. Wordpress.org is the way to go. Pay for a domain name and good hosting services. It's really inexpensive.
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  • Profile picture of the author SteveBowen4
    Once I used wordpress blogs and mentioned the main keyword with the sub domain of wordpress and it worked a little more and ranked for some pages in google in #3 and #5.
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  • Profile picture of the author TymBolla
    ditch wordpress.com and get your own domain and your own site
    it's just $11/year for a domain
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  • Profile picture of the author Ammy Singh
    While it's good option to have a free WordPress/Google Blog for fun - it's not a suave option; if you are serious about your product/services. It's best to get your own hosting - may be then load WordPress on that? That would make more sense, in my opinion.

    Cheers!
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  • Profile picture of the author Jamie Thompson
    No. Just buy a domain and install wordpress on it and go from there. You do not want to start a blog and not even own it. It also looks terrible to have it on a subdomain like that.
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